Volume One, Chapter 57: A Master Indeed

Heavy layers of cloud hung low as a chilly, persistent rain fell, cold droplets landing on their heads, faces, and bodies—clammy, sticky, and uncomfortably cold.
“We need to get to New York now; the laboratory is there.” The timing was chosen because Murphy had no idea when the Captain America experiment would begin, but in December 1941, Pearl Harbor was attacked and the United States declared war.
Manzhelak let out a chilling, low laugh, casting a strange, inscrutable smile at the ten or so eighth-level gods present, his figure slowly retreating.
Ordinarily, Dragon Titan would have either passed the ball to a teammate or made his move before Elden Campbell’s double team could close in.
If anyone understood the Celestial Group best, it was Stephen. In Kamar-Taj, records detailed the wars between the Celestials and the pantheons a thousand years ago, and the Ancient One’s documents contained meticulous descriptions of these extraterrestrial visitors.
As the Venerable Guanyin approached Mount Hua, a sword’s gleam tore through the void and landed, blocking the Bodhisattva’s path. Clad in azure robes, Lü Chunyang, his male and female swords strapped to his back, barred the way.
As expected, one death fiend after another emerged from the black earth. In an instant, thousands of death fiends swarmed around them, densely packed.
After most people had entered, Rui Mengmeng made a rough count. After this battle, the training corps had been reduced to just over fifty people.
Emperor Ling of Han’s expression changed as he opened the window. A gust of cold wind swept in, making his bare body shiver involuntarily.
Once on the ship, Rui Mengmeng first sent Qilin to the special treatment center overseen by Yuqin before heading to the monitoring room herself, where, in a state of unease, she allowed Lianfeng to examine her.
Wenqi nodded. Mistrose Manor reminded him of his old home, Wuchi Palace atop Kaiyang Peak in Chuyun Mountain. The memory made him melancholy; though the palace still stood, it was no longer his home.
Qing Mingzi furrowed his brow. “Very well, then I’ll trouble you, Miss Kunyu. I shall take my leave now.” With a bow, he turned and strolled away at a leisurely pace.

Under normal circumstances, creatures at level 50 were so far above the current players that their levels would be hidden. However, due to the special rules of the Demon Realm, certain city guardians had visible levels, serving as a warning to players not to cause trouble.
“Should I go out and buy some groceries?” Yile mused as she rinsed rice for cooking, then shook her head. Such a hassle—she’d just woken up and didn’t want to go that far.
At that moment, Long Yingying slowly opened her eyes. They were remarkably calm, utterly unruffled.
The Bahu Mecha squad ahead seemed to move as a single unit, completely thwarting any attempt to approach them.
Lu Qi nodded eagerly, his eyes fixed on the food. With his mouth full, he could barely speak.
In their eyes, Shang’s strength was beyond words, especially since the ability he possessed was something they all envied to this day.
After hearing Murong Yi speak, Li Yuyun began to observe the floating island below—through the eyes of a formation master.
After some time, the experts sent to pursue the mysterious figure gradually returned to Penglai Manor. Wu Ling was so furious he gnashed his teeth—this was not just about Lu Qi, but the manor’s reputation.
The red-haired knight, a man with both intense presence and elegant demeanor—Reinhardt—though somewhat helpless, maintained his poise as he questioned the two, Rainfall and his companion.
With a thud, the Ghost-faced Cat Demon leader toppled sideways to the ground, the light faded from his wide-open eyes.
Yet Nathan, ever observant, caught it: the same expression Star Dew had worn when she’d heard Fuwei advocate for the abolition of the contract system and the liberation of the oppressed.
As her words fell, Princess Taiping’s face grew unspeakably grave as she looked at Shangguan Wan’er, awaiting her answer.

“How shameless. It never ends… utterly outrageous…” Feng Yiming was beside himself with rage. All these years, among the unruly children of the faculty, he’d always been the top dog. Now, it seemed, the mighty dragon had been cast into the shallows to be bullied by shrimps, the tiger humbled on flat terrain by curs.
Everyone seemed to forget about the Sect Master’s Sword of Xing Shi; no one paid it any mind. After a while, the group simply vanished.
“I will become someone like Sinkara! Go, Zoe!” Zoe chanted to herself.
Watching the two men, twenty years apart in age, bicker back and forth, Li Xinyu and Ye Zizi exchanged glances. They knew better than to butt in—especially Li Xinyu, who, in private, could torment her younger brother as much as she liked, but in public always gave him due respect.
Given the way others cursed Tang Huaihao, Feng’er Hua should have raised both hands or even a protest sign in opposition.
A strange sweetness welled up in Qin Rou’s heart—so she still held a place in his thoughts! Why else would he have hurried here at the mere hint of danger to her?
“No way above, no path below, left and right—only death awaits. Yet I accept it…” Chu Xu smiled faintly, unafraid, and pressed forward.
“Nonsense.” Xu Zuoyan turned away, unwilling to look at Ye Kaicheng any longer—just seeing him was annoying.
That wasn’t directed at Uncle Wu, but at Ye Xingtian. Still, though the words were harsh, Bai Zihua’s tone was soft, free of malice.